Changes are underway for tertiary education in Cyprus with the Finance Ministry gearing up to unveil a new student-employment program after securing EU funds from the Youth Guarantee scheme.

According to the new plans, the subsidy would be channeled through Cyprus to both students – who would be able to also work whilst studying – but also to employers.

One of the provisions of the Youth Guarantee scheme calls for “targeted and well-designed wage and recruitment subsidies to encourage employers to provide young people with an apprenticeship or a job placement, and particularly for those furthest from the labour market.”

The man objective of the program, however, is for the students to obtain work experience. A recent study has shown that young people with prior work experience have a much easier time finding employment than those without work experience.

According to sources of Phileleftheros newspaper, the new program will be put towards the cabinet for approval and will be spearheaded by the Finance Ministry and supported by the Education Ministry.

The program has also been mentioned several times by Education Minister Costas Kadis during meetings with student and parent associations.

The program will involve students from all Cypriot universities – both public and private.